I thiught it might be helpful to learn what others have found helpful in recovering from depression. Please share your recovery tips here!

KA

For me, it's a combination of talk therapies, meds and exercise and diet. But I think talk therapies have been the most helpful to me over time.

KA

It's been mostly meds for me. Talk therapy has also played an important part in the healing process for me.
Sheepwoman

Without support groups, I would have a devil of the time. My friends and family do there best but I find understanding in groups. This one has been a blessing since they're not enough where I live.

The only thing that helps me is talking to my great grandma.

I voted for all. I'd say it probably starts with meds.............(anybody ever had one of those moments/hours/days where they thought they'd implode without that Benzo or Tranq??)............but then I also push for the things *I* can do to aid in my recovery.

In particular I called it the "pie chart"!! And I asked myself daily/weekly if I was doing EVERYTHING I thought I *could* do in that "pie chart" of......."things I can do to make myself better!".

Pray
Eat healthy
Drink lots of water
Read lots
Exercise (at LEAST 20 minute walks 3 times per week)
Come here & post on the forum
etc.



Anyway.........if I find something else that helps I wedge that into my "pie chart" as well. I want no 'one' of the 360 degrees of possible effort to be wasted!!!! If there's something I can do to help myself, I want to include it!!

I work with a bunch of jokers, and trying to participate in their lighthearted banter always helps me. Sometimes I just can't seem to get on their level, but when I do, and spend a day laughing, even at ridiculous, infantile stuff, I come out feeling really good.

Unless I am really far gone (and medication change is the only thing left) it helps me to go to work. It might take me a great effort to get up and face the day, but once I am there, after about 2 hours of keeping to myself, I begin to wake up, as it were, and get working and get involved in what is being said around me. Pretty soon my "work persona" takes over and I get loud and obnoxious and funny, just like everyone is used to seeing me do. You can't have a thin skin in any of the places I have had to work in. They will eat you alive. You have to have an attitude, best described as " I don't give a s**t " and people, even if they don't like you, will leave you to your own devices. So I have to say, going to work, and eventually putting on my "tough girl" attitude, will push the depression away for a while. Plus it always helps to have a negative attitude about the job, the amount of work they expect you to do, the small pay and how hot it is, and so forth

Meds have made the bigest difference, along with therapy. I usually have to wait for the meds to kick in so I can remember what was said at the therapists, though. Behind these are family and friends. I have a very loving family that are great about my 'days' and understand that the bad mood has nothing to do with them. They have come to realize that my life isn't easy as I just keep going on like I don't have all these symptoms,. and some days, I just get so tired of it! I also have a good friend who calls me just about everyday and we laugh about things and make plans to do this and that. My SIL has depression and we talk or see each other a couple times a week. When you have people supporting you it helps, lots!

I miss my Dad. He could pull me out of the black mood real fast and get me to see the 'lighter side' of life. Oh! How I miss him! I saw what Hate said about his Grandmother, and I know the great effect some, especially older people, can have. They have been through lots and can give some very good opinions and advice.

Something that no one talked about is the sun. I know it helps me to get outside and sit in it for awhile. Not real long, or I'd be burnt. I have a flowerbed, too. It helps me to put my hands on the dirt and see things grow. Kind of a reminder that 'life goes on'. I think there's real value in having a hobby that one can do alone in case nothing is going on and you feel like you need to do something.

Of course, this place is the greatest! Always someone around and interesting topics to read. I don't respond to many posts, because I can't relate or would like some eye contact as I'm more receptive to seeing who I am talking to and miss the body language, but it works. No one has reported me to the boss that I know of, lol!

Jackie :wave:

At different times in the history of my illness different things have helped more or less. For instance when I was on Prozac it made me very manic but now on Cymbalta I have an "even" mood (plus other drugs). Talk therapy at one time was the most benefical. Finding a good pdoc or even a few of them is another way to help us along the dark path. I've been fortunate in that area.

I agree with Jackie that the sun is important and fresh air...something to make you feel alive. There are times though that I want to be in bed in a dark, quiet room forever.

Lately, since I've been feeling better, I am trying to work on diet, exercise, vitamins, etc. I know these things help as well.

I agree with Moriane that if you can work that it can be helpful. However, when you are really sick you cannot work.

Babblel, babble, babble :tounge:

DF of course is the best

I have to say that almost everything on the list has helped me except homeopathic medicine. Therapy has helped me a great deal, as has medication, but without the support of family and friends, I don't know what I'd do. I've learned a great deal from self-help books. Exercise is very important. This website has been of enormous help to me during what is a difficult time. I can't narrow it down and say that any one thing has helped the most. They've all been important.

This post has been edited by katrinasurvivor: Jul 26 2006, 08:17 PM

Just found this lovely site with random affirmation cards on it, hope it helps someone. PM me if you'd like the link.

Sorry I didn't realise I couldn't post a link. Just to describe it , it has affirmation cards that you can click on and you get a new one, they have nice drawings and messages like 'you remember to breathe', 'I let people into my life' , 'you follow your dreams they are worth believing in'

L

This post has been edited by teapot: Jul 30 2006, 05:01 AM

Hi Orion and everybody,
I listed my work as a help because it has only been since May 1 that I figured this out. You see, March 1 I had a nervous breakdown at work and had to go on TDI for 2 months while the medication was adjusted, etc. Just to much work and supervisors with bad attitudes with no sympathy for what we, the workers, had to do around there. My way of having a nervous breakdown at work is for the "final straw that breaks the camel's back" that makes me snap. I ended up in a screamfest with my supervisor and she slammed the door in my face. I clocked out and went back to my dept. to get my keys and bag. The work was piled to the skies. I told one of the girls I was going home and had a panic attack where I couldn't breathe and drove out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell. While driving I remembered OMG I guess I am fired now, what about my health insurance???? Anyway, long story short, I stayed home. Stayed on line just about 24/7. Did nothing. Sometimes didn't get out of my clothes for 3 or more days. Nothing mattered but sitting here like I am now. I gained a lot of weight and thought way too much about things. I don't like thinking. Also I know, the longer I stay home, the more effort it will take to get back out into the world. Plus, who was gonna pay for my 9 prescriptions and dr. visits. I had to get back out there and function. The extra Lamictal began to kick in and I went back to face down the music. To my surprise, no-one gave me too much flak. Nursing homes are notorious for drama, drunks, drug-addicts and lives in shambles so I faded back into the background and here I am. I think I mentioned elsewhere that I work in a large nursing home in the laundry dept. It really doen't take many brains to fetch, sort, wash and fold crappy linen and personal clothes. After a while you don't smell anything much and you get used to what you have to see. I could never work in an office or anywhere quiet because I tend to be loud , swear way too much and get angry and depressed in turn. In other words, I am not the poster child for decorum,lol. I really think the thing that keeps me going is the routine. Without any routine, I would stay in bed, only getting up to eat junk and stay on line. I have to keep struggling, as long as I can, anyway..... *sailing*

Hi Moraine,

Like many of us here you have been through the mill. I am so sorry that things had to get so bad at work for you! I would have left too if my supervisor carried on like that...wow... You had a lot of guts to go back.

I know it is hard when you are depressed to do anything, even the simplest things. I have had many times where I would just stay in bed for days; not showering or anything. My poor husband. I have gained a ton of weight because all I want is sweets (has something to do with serotonin levels so I am told). I also spent tons of time online and a lot of time here at DF. Things are better since I got a decent pdoc and am on some meds and also in therapy. We don't have any insurance (I live in Canada) and my drugs are only in the US so I am paying out of pocket for my meds :verysad3: I swear it is going to break us. I need to get my act together and get a job.

Anyway, I hope you are doing well today. Feel free to PM me. :wink: